Babyface Effect: Babyface Preference and Overgeneralization (2024)

FAQs

What is the babyface overgeneralization effect? ›

The “babyface overgeneralisation effect” tricks us into finding other childlike qualities, such as innocence, in those who merely look like them. “Forget expression – it's the structure of the face itself that conveys these signals.

Many studies indicate that the baby face phenomenon, or the tendency to find infant-like facial features attractive, occurs not only because the features suggest youth, but also because they elicit the same warm feelings as our typical response to babies (both human and animal).

The babyface usually refers to adult faces that have a facial feature similar to that of infants (Berry and McArthur, 1985). It is usually defined as a round face with big eyes, high raised eyebrows, a narrow chin and a small nose.

The babyface usually refers to adult faces that have a facial feature similar to that of infants (Berry and McArthur, 1985). It is usually defined as a round face with big eyes, high raised eyebrows, a narrow chin and a small nose.

An example of overgeneralization in everyday life would be assuming that because you didn't get an interview after putting in a job application, you will never be able to get a job.

The Overgeneralization Cognitive Distortion

An example is thinking, after a single rejection from a job interview, "I'm always going to fail at everything.” Overgeneralization is often implicated in clinical depression, anxiety disorders, and anger management problems.

The cons of having a baby face

Some people might assume you think and act younger than your age. Others may give you playful or demeaning nicknames based on your face or stature. People may judge your romantic relationship as inappropriate, even when you're with a same-age partner.

Lorenz (1943) defined this as the “baby schema effect,” an innate releasing mechanism primed by a set of specific facial features, including a large head, a protruding forehead, a round face, big eyes, and a small nose and mouth, which evoke positive emotions and instinctual behavioral responses in adults.

(also baby-face, babyface) us/ˈbeɪ.bi ˌfeɪs/ uk/ˈbeɪ.bi ˌfeɪs/ a round, young-looking face: With his baby face and infectious smile, he is instantly appealing. He has a baby-face; he can't play a thug.

Examples of Halo Effect

One study showed that people make these assumptions about youthfulness, too. People are more likely to have more favorable perceptions of people with a younger, baby-like appearance than those who appear older.

What is the baby face halo effect? ›

Two well-documented phenomena in person perception are the attractiveness halo effect, whereby more positive traits are ascribed to more attractive individuals of many ages and races (Eagly, Ashmore, Makhijani, & Longo, 1991; Langlois et al., 2000; Dion, 2002), and the babyface overgeneralization effect, whereby more ...

Facial fat and fullness naturally reduce over time.

As you age, the fat in your face loses volume, causing your face to appear less full and more angular. This means that your babyface will naturally become less and less pronounced as you get older.

Many times its due to the fat pads in the cheeks. Typically they disappear as the person ages. My niece still has them at 23 years of age and she appears much younger as a result. Its those cute, fat cheeks we love in babies and toddlers.

Yes, “babyface” is usually a compliment, and a good thing.

Use of a sound in a wider range than permitted by the adult language. For example, a child might refer to a 'tiger' as a 'kitty' or 'mouses' for 'mice', in the latter case overgeneralization the morphological rule for plural nouns.

Those with child-like facial features, such as round faces, large eyes, and small noses, are often perceived as happier and more approachable. On the other hand, individuals with more mature features, such as angular faces and prominent features, are often perceived as more severe and unapproachable.

Here are some examples of overgeneralization: Pit bulls are aggressive. Rich people are greedy. Beautiful people are conceited.

In summary, reactions to people with babyfaces are consistent with the babyface overgeneralization hypothesis. Faces are perceived to have more childlike traits when they have distinctive infantile features that even computer models identify.